Thursday, December 27, 2012

Also, be sure to watch the video at the bottom of the
message: “Bethlehem Views”
from George Rishmawi

Beit Laham

Bethlehem (Aramaic for House of Laham, the Canaanitic God of
Sustenance) area is decked in colors and the best and most beautiful lights are
the smiles on the faces of our children. On Saturday evening, we attended a
Christian service that was a joint service with the National Cathedral in
Washington DC. The Palestinian children bell choir was uplifting. Children led
the lighting of the candles at churches, the singing, and the choirs and they
outnumbered adults in most activities. We were blessed by visited homes of poor
children of different faiths. On Monday 3500 members of marching bands/scouts
(most youth under 18) led parades near the apartheid wall separating Jerusalem
from Bethlehem towards the Nativity square. Some of the marching youth were
Muslims. The marching band from Gaza (Christian and Muslim) was not allowed to
participate by the Israeli occupation authorities. Earlier in the day, children
in the square formed a large peace symbol and the words "LOVE ALL"
with their bodies in front of the massive Christmas tree in the square. The
United Nations Work and Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) had
banners asking people to remember the suffering children in Gaza and Syria.

Later in the day, the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement
and the YMCA/YWCA Joint Advocacy initiative organized a children's program.
Laughing and dancing lasted for nearly two hours and then gifts were passed to
the kids by Santa Clause. We all should remember that Jesus was born 2000 years
ago in a humble manger. My ancestors, the Shepherds of Beit Sahour recognized
the message of hope and acted on it. They and Jesus were Palestinians living
under a foreign imperial occupation managed by local individuals who claimed
religion and law. Herod killed the Children of Bethlehem to advance the agenda
of hate. Jesus advanced the agenda of love. His family became refugees from
tyranny (like millions of Palestinians today). Jesus challenged military
occupation with non-violent resistance and chastised Pharisees and Sadducees
for hypocrisy. He called for peace and helped the oppressed. This important
child of Bethlehem is recognized by Christians, Muslims, and most of humanity
(including atheists and agnostics) as a great teacher and a saviour. He taught
all humanity that it is important to tell the truth and stand with the weak and
oppressed of this world. He taught by example. Palestinian Christians believe
he became the first martyr for non-violent resistance to foreign occupation of
Palestine. He said "let the children come to me" and implored us to
believe in goodness in the same way that children do and then to ACT on our belief.
Whether we are Christian or not, this is the message coming forth from
Bethlehem this season and all the time.

If you are in the Bethlehem area let us get together and
plan our actions for 2013 and beyond especially for the future of all children
of our shared planet.

Tuesday/Today 4 PM Candle Light march for Palestine in Beit
Sahour starting at the Shephetrds' Field followed by festival of Christmas with
music etc.

Wednesday 6 PM: Service at the wall neaer Rachel Tomb area

Friday: At Izbet Tabib (near Qalqilia), Bilin, and other
localities in Palestine, join marches against the apartheid wall

Stories from Israel and Palestine...

from peacemakers on the ground, who are working to end the injustice of Israel’s occupation and bring peace to their land. Stories to help Americans, who, like me, have not understood what is really happening—in the words of one Jewish grandmother I met, "for my children and grandchildren."

A Lenten Geography, Meditations for Lent, 2014

As we prepare for Holy Week and Easter, join me in listening to the texts for the Sundays in Lent through the stories of the "living stones"—the Christians, Jews and Muslims living in the ancient land of Palestine who are working to bring the good news of peace to that land today. The lessons are from the Revised Common Lectionary.

About Me

When I first traveled to Israel and Palestine in June, 2005, with Pastor Paul Rowold, I met Israelis and Palestinians and heard their stories about how difficult their lives have become under Israel's occupation and I witnessed all the ways they are bringing hope to their communities.
When I asked what I could to, they told me "Tell our stories." They were convinced that if the American people knew what was happening to them, their lives would be different.
I returned to visit with Israeli and Palestinian peace groups in June, 2008, and I have been the co-leader for two pilgrimage groups to the Holy Land in 2008 and 2009. In May-June 2010, I traveled with a Compassionate Listening delegation. Again, the Palestinians and the Jewish Israelis I met asked me to tell their stories of despair and hope—and about their work to build their communities and create a future of hope for their children. I have made two more trips—in 2011 and again this past fall,2013, with Interfaith Peace-builders. In the picture above, I'm protesting the occupation of Palestine by standing with the Women in Black at one of Jerusalem's busiest intersections in June, 2008.